Meat Free Monday: Tips to cut down meat in your diet
Are you looking for ways to cut down on the consumption of meat? Here are tips you can follow...
Meat can be addictive.
The World Counts states that production of meat has doubled in the 30 years from 1988 to 2018 and increased four-fold since the mid 1960s. By 2050, global meat consumption is projected to reach between 460-million and a staggering 570-million tons.
Sadly, meat production contributes to climate change.
The World Counts reports that 'it requires more energy, water and land to produce meat than any other food source. Meat production is also a large source of greenhouse gas emissions and thereby plays a major role in climate change'.
READ: World Meat Free Week: Reasons to cut meat from your diet
For many years, people have been practicing meat free Mondays. This is one way of ensuring that at least once a week, they stay away from meat.
- One way to kickstart your meat-free Mondays is to replace meat with food such as soy, pea protein, lentils, beans, and chickpeas.
- Cook meat dishes that have vegetables in them, for instance, make meat stews where you add vegetables and beans, etc.
- The mind is very important in ensuring you stick to your goals. Remind yourself of the benefits to your health and the environment as a great motivation for staying away from meat.
- Do a meal plan and try as much as possible to stick to it.
- Start by reducing the meat portions you eat. If you were eating two pieces of chicken, start by cutting to one. When it comes to red meat, eat a palm-sized portion.
READ: Experts say that zebra meat should be on our braais this year
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